Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Stockholm?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Stockholm?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Stockholm, Sweden? Most people spend two to seven days in Stockholm during their visit. After all, the beautiful city will let you learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy the live music scene, and tour the famous sights and museums.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. It's a unique city in that it's spread out over 14 islands that are connected by many bridges. The are many quaint streets and a beautiful and colorful old town that you can explore. The city has many ferries and sightseeing boats that will take you by some of the most significant landmarks.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Stockholm? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Stockholm?

Three days is usually not enough time to experience the beautiful city of Stockholm, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy the live music scene, and tour the famous sights and museums. You'll likely want more than three days, as many tourists set aside around two to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend 3 days in Stockholm

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Unique walking tour Stockholm ($54)
  • Old Town Stockholm Gamla Stan, Historic Walking Tour, small group ($47)
  • Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town ($22)

Stockholm is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This is among the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Europe.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Unique walking tour Stockholm ($54)
  • Old Town Stockholm Gamla Stan, Historic Walking Tour, small group ($47)
  • Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town ($22)

Stockholm is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

Don't miss Gamla Stan (the old town) during your trip to Stockholm, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Live music is very popular in Stockholm, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Public transit in Stockholm is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Stockholm a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. Famous sights and museums include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Open-Air Museum, and the Royal Palace.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Vasa Museum Guided Tour, Including Entry Ticket ($55)
  • Stockholm Old Town and the Vasa Museum, a Small Group Walking Tour. ($97)
  • Private Guided Tour The Vasa Museum ($170)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city is a particularly fun place to visit during the summer months when clubs open outdoor areas and parties happen day and night.

Is 4 days enough time in Stockholm?

The city of Stockholm boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. So with four days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the beautiful city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to seven days to fully enjoy the city. If you have four days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend 4 days in Stockholm

Having 4 days in Stockholm will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Stockholm is renowned for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks. Be sure to allocate a day or so to explore the most popular and famous historical and cultural gems. The city includes multiple islands and a beautiful old town.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Stockholm- A Beauty On The Water: Old Town Walking Tour and Boat Trip Combined ($108)
  • Open Electric Boat Ride in Stockholm ($26)
  • Stockholm Must See - Old Town, boat + Vasa Museum 3h small group ($139)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Most famous for its Swedish meatballs, there is so much more to the food scene in this city. Although they're expensive, the restaurants often have a relaxed atmosphere with dishes that take advantage of local, fresh ingredients. Seafood is obviously popular as well.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Stockholm Food Tour ($103)
  • Stockholm Private Food Tour with a Local: Tastiest Treats 100% Personalized ($215)
  • Self Guided Taysta Food Tour in Stockholm ($33)

Is 5 days enough time in Stockholm?

Five days is the perfect amount of time in Stockholm, as many visitors prefer to spend two to seven days here. You'll be able to explore the major attractions and take part in the city's most popular things to do such as the historic old town, the beautiful scenery, the live music scene, and the museums and landmarks. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.

Stockholm Stockholm

How to spend 5 days in Stockholm

With 5 days in Stockholm, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Stockholm is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Right by Gamla Stan, you'll find the city's main shopping street of Drottninggatan. The city has great jewelry and artisan crafts.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm to Stockholm Quality Outlet ($100)
  • Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Outlet ($112)
  • Stockholm Local Fashion Designers Shopping Tour with a Stylist ($118)

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Stockholm, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.